Editors' Review

RealDownloader is perhaps the quickest and simplest online video-downloader for Windows that we've seen. Unlike many of its competitors, when RealDownloader says one-click, it seriously means just one click.

When you install RealDownloader, it integrates with your browsers (Firefox, Chrome, and IE are supported), so you don't have to boot it up every time you want to use it. It just detects when you're on a supported site, and pops up whenever you roll over the top-right corner of a video. From there, all you have to do is click the small pop-up button that says "Download This Video," and you're all set. It's really that simple. You can download multiple videos at once, and even playback from within the program. And if RealDownloader can't find a default video player that supports your download, it will give you the option to download a free, add-on video player. The add-on is lightweight and ensures that you never get stuck with files that you can't access.

As a bonus, RealDownloader also comes with some sharing options. It lets you easily share the original link to any of your downloaded videos through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or (inexplicably) MySpace.

If you upgrade to RealDownloader Plus, you'll be able to copy your downloaded videos to any of a number of devices, including iPhones, Android phones, and more. And you won't have to worry about file formats as the program will do all of the transcoding for you. In addition, you'll get accelerated downloads, download straight to iTunes, and convert to audio functions. So if you want your videos viewable on the go, an upgrade is definitely worth considering.

While RealDownloader did perform impressively in our tests, we do wish it had some richer built-in exporting tools. We would've loved to be able to easily rename files, then export and convert to a desired file format.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick and easy utility for downloading online videos (legal content, to which you own the rights), RealDownloader is tops. It's quick, it supports hundreds of Web sites, and it truly does its job in one click.

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Publisher's Description

The free RealDownloader gives you more control than your typical video downloader. With RealDownloader, not only can you download videos with one-click, you can also watch your videos immediately using your existing media player or a built-in video viewer. With just one-click you can begin building a collection of your favorite Internet videos by downloading them from hundreds of websites like YouTube.com, Metacafe and FunnyOrDie.com. When you're done, you can share them on Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace.

RealDownloader lets you download multiple videos at once and offers cross-browser compatibility, as well as the ability to save videos to any location on your computer so you always know where they are. After downloading them, watch your videos anytime you want, even if you're offline, without ever having to deal with buffering issues. With one-click downloading, getting started is as simple as clicking the "Download This Video" button that appears above each video.

Drops recordings, even some at 90% completed. Others marked as complete with only 10% or less actually downloaded. Some downloads will zoom along and then crawl for a while. Then they either close as not downloadable or as completed even though only part of the file was saved. Private mode is a joke too. It shouldn't need to open the main RealPlayer program to run.

although i will continue to try this app. as of jan 2013 ver.16 realplayer an realdownloader sucks. hey if it aint broke dont fix it. ver.15 worked great. but some dump ass had to fix it.

Cons

troublesome doanload, tries to install funmoods,cant delete bookmarked videos,videos in library start playing in your browser,saved links don`t work,DOWNLOADER LOCKS UP AN YOU LOSE ALL THE VIDS YOU WHERE WORKING ON,IT WILL NOT PUT VIDEOS WHERE I TELL IT TO, and it can be a ***** to remove from your system MAJOR *****.realplayers web video links don`t aways work.

Summary

free realplayer and downloader have alway worked great intell now ver.16 is a big screw up by some one and HEADS SHOULD ROLL. But i will continue to try hoping they fix or un fix what is needed

1. It's useless.2. I haven't slept for almost a day trying to download videos but it never worked.3. It's useless.4. The "DOWNLOAD THIS VIDEO" Button really does appear, but once you clicked it, it downloads a different video that only lasts for 2 seconds.5. And did I just said it's useless?Oh, yes.IT'USELESS!!!

Summary

A waste of time, effort, patience and electricity. If you don't want your computer/laptop ended up being smashed...PLEASE, DO NOT TRY THIS!!!

Funmoods is offered as choice you have to deny on the download. Funmoods is a nuisance Search Engine regarded as a virus/trojan and is extremely difficult to get rid of. I am surprised that Real has packaged this useless software with Real Download. If anyone gets stuck with this Funmoods nuisance, the only thing I found that could get rid of it is Spybot.

This did not work for me. I installed and tried to download 2 videos of my grandson from facebook. Following their instructions, both videos downloaded in MP4 format. What I got when I tried to view the videos, was sound only. I tried several different media viewers as well. Also, Everytime I tried to open an internet connection after I installed the software and everytime I got a message of whether or not I wanted to run the software.

Summary

Either my install was unsuccessful; or missed a step in downloading; or a totally poor user. I was not impressed but, again, I may have had an error in the process. In any case, I would not recommend it. I downloaded based on CNET review which has not steered me wrong on any other download so I am not really sure what went wrong.

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